It is an onerous task to prepare your house for sale and requires a lot of planning. If you share your home with a pampered pooch, then you need to make arrangements for the arrival of unexpected guests. Although your dog’s modus operandi with guests may be a sloppy grin and a wagging tail, some visitors might not like to be greeted by your dog and so you need to make arrangements accordingly. People may well be intimidated by your pet, especially if he is large or boisterous.
Here are a few pointers to taking care of your pet which will make your guests feel more at home:
- Play with your pet – Play with your pet before the guests arrive and allow him to run. Take him for a long walk and then jog back with him. By exhausting him before your guests arrive, he will be more inclined to rest and your guests will not be disturbed at all.
- Keep your dog in the next room – Settle your pet in a separate room with his water, food and favorite toy. This will keep him occupied and he can roam around freely in this room. Your guests might not even know that there is a dog in the adjacent room. They can then take a look at your house freely.
- Send your pet to a friend’s place – If possible send your canine companion to a friend’s house where he has company. Pack some treats for your pet and let him spend the day there. When your pet is not in sight, prospective buyers will feel much more at ease, while your dog could be romping with his mates.
- Bathe your pet – If you prefer to keep your pet at home, make sure he is clean. Before visitors arrive, make sure that you bathe your pet and make him clean and tidy. A well-groomed dog that listens to his master looks much better than a dishevelled and dirty one. This can only leave a good impression on the prospective buyer.
- Clean your house–Make sure your house is immaculate and completely free of pet hair. Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of loose hair and if possible, wash all the bed covers and cushion covers that have become the habitual haunt of your dog. Keep the food and water bowl of man’s best friend well out of sight.
- Deodorize your house–Use air fresheners to deodorize your house so that it doesn’t smell of pets. Most houses that have pets have a distinctive odour which may not be to everyone’s satisfaction. A fresh scent leaves a good impression on the people visiting your home.
At Homefair.co.za we firmly believe that taking a few of these suggestions to heart may be the difference between a potential house sale or a luke-warm response from a prospective buyer. For more information contact Homefair.co.za.